Torch Theatre Company’s Grav premiered earlier this year in Milford Haven, and made its Cardiff premiere at the Sherman this March; this week the play returns to the capital, boasting a Sold Out run at Chapter Arts Centre’s intimate theatre space.
The one man play offers an often funny and very touching glimpse into the life of late Welsh Rugby player Ray Gravell, leading us through his life with career highlights and personal anecdotes. Gravell is portrayed by Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama alumni Gareth Bale, who holds his own as the singular actor in the piece.
Although it took a short while for him to find his rhythm, both comedically and dramatically, the pay off was worth the short wait; Bale leads us through the play with confidence in his characterisation, and hits the mark with all the comic moments of the play, which are aplenty. When portraying a “Man Mountain” like Gravell, an easy trap to fall into is one which doesn’t allow your audience past the emotional barrier of a brawny testosterone-fuelled rugby player, but Bale avoids this at all costs, and the moments of tenderness are there just when they need to be, and truthfully portrayed.
Playwright Owen Thomas has served up a piece of real variety with this play, a difficult task in a one man play, but there really is something for all punters; the rugby trivia for the rugby buffs, the patriots will be pleased to hear the National Anthem no less than twice – plus some moments of Welsh-speaking, and an early gag about Gravell’s encounter with Peter O’Toole, for the thespians in attendance.
Thomas is clearly a very intellectual writer and a talented comedian, but like all the best comics he knows exactly when to juxtapose the humour with moments of real tragedy, and succeeds in getting our empathy for Gravell when it’s needed. The complexity and beauty of the language can seem too much for how we might realistically expect a Rugby player from West Wales to communicate to us, but it heightens the drama of many moments, making for richer storytelling and allowing us to appreciate Thomas’ brilliant way with words.
A well designed and intimately detailed set depicts a decaying sports changing rooms, and is used well throughout, never distracting us from our solo performer. Strong direction from Peter Doran never lets our focus shift from what this play is all about; a normal lad from West Wales who had an often difficult life, but an always triumphant career.
Grav is a well a balanced and strongly carried play; an intimate but never overly sentimental look into the life of a truly inspirational Welsh figure, with something that everyone can enjoy, appreciate and relate to. I defy even the non-Welsh audience members to leave Chapter not feeling even a little bit patriotic.